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A Diamond In The Rough: A Memoir (2012)

by Shawn Colvin(Favorite Author)

3.46 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0062099167 (ISBN13: 9780062099167)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

William Morrow

review 1: Shawn Colvin's music has been a part of my life for almost twenty years. I vividly remember the first time I heard her music. My best friend introduced me and it has been one of the things we share. I've had the good fortune to have seen her perform twice. The first time was at the Wang Center with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dar Williams and Patty Griffin. The second time was a few weeks ago at a very intimate double bill with Mary Chapin Carpenter. I treated my Mom to this for Mother's Day. I loved reading this book. It gave such great insight to her lyrics to understand the backdrop of her life. Thank you Shawn for your candor and your music!!!
review 2: This book is pretty uneven (though that's also how I find Colvin's music - some of it I love, some of... more it I have to skip). She breezes quickly through her childhood, detailing a few formative experiences (which I thought was good - no reason to dwell too much there). But she sort of skimmed over the alcohol addiction part (and at one point she mentions drugs, but doesn't come back to it); she is candid about it but doesn't seem to be telling the whole story. While I respect her privacy, writing a book like this was her choice and I do think that being more upfront might be more helpful to the reader.I felt the same way about some of her relationships. While she describes both her husbands, and explains her reasons for the marriages failing, I'd rather that she had shown us. She tells us about her commitment issues, but doesn't give examples of how they were overwhelming or caused problems. Again, some of this is probably out of respect for her privacy (as well as theirs), but I don't think that telling us how you felt in love - and falling out - is too much to ask of a singer-songwriter writing a biography. She dwells on a failed romance after her 2nd marriage almost as long as she does both marriages; it's a little tough to read because the person isn't named (I understand why), but I wish she could have brought the same candor to the parts where she discusses the people that she thought she'd be with forever.She does a great job with her depression. I think this is a must-read for anyone who's grappled with depression or mental-health issues. Colvin is upfront (though not too detailed - it's a good balance)about her own battles with depression and does a good job describing her feelings, how she is able to maintain her job and lifestyle while dealing with these issues. And I don't think she tells too much here (she maintains a level of distance).As someone who's followed her career since the beginning, it was also nice to read about the making of her albums and what ideas were behind the songs, her writing process, etc. If you're not familiar with her work, that may not be interesting to you, but she is a good songwriter.If you're a fan; a writer; or interested in depression and related issues, this is a good book for you. Otherwise, it's pacing is kind of uneven and you may not care enough to pick it up. less

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